VIPs, celebrities with a heart for charity
RALLYING FOR A CAUSE: Dignitaries, local artistes, Hollywood stars, socialites and members of the F1 fraternity turned up for the SapuraKencana Petroleum Malaysia Grand Prix Charity Gala to raise funds for the National Heart Institute Foundation
KUALA LUMPUR: IT was a night of glitz and glamour at Majestic Hotel here when international and local celebrities celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix during at the SapuraKencana Petroleum Malaysia Grand Prix Charity Gala 2013 recently.
Hundreds of VIPs, socialites and the Formula One (F1) fraternity turned up as well.
The gala aimed to raise funds for the National Heart Institute (IJN) Foundation.
Hollywood's fashion mogul, Kimora Lee Simmons, strutted down the red carpet in her dazzling blue dress. The gala also welcomed Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher, who looked stunning in her silver gown.
Also in the spotlight was Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down actor Josh Harnett, who looked smart in his suit and sleek black tie. Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind and Fire, and 10-time Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds were also spotted on the red carpet.
Malaysian divas Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin and Datuk Sheila Majid, as well as Ipoh-born international actress, Datuk Michelle Yeoh, also made appearances.
Other celebrities who turned up for the event included Marion Caunter, Miss World Malaysia 2012 Yvonne Lee and Sazzy Falak.
Also present were national squash queen and the world No 1 in the sport, Datuk Nicol Ann David, and the country's No 1 badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei and his wife, Datin Wong Mew Choo.
The guests-of-honour were Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and his consort Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah.
Accompanying the royal couple was IJN Foundation patron, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the prime minister's wife.
Among the VIPs who showed their support were former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, Mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib, and Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.
An auction featuring items sponsored by F1 teams, CERES -- The House of Goenka Diamonds, Cecils Purnell and YTL Hotels -- was held to raise funds for the foundation.
The House of Goenka Diamonds donated a beautiful pair of ruby- and diamond-studded earrings, sensually named My Ruby Mistress. The earrings are crafted from 156 round diamonds and two pear-shaped rubies.
Swiss luxury watch Cecil Purnell donated its renowned Hamberge V11 Tourbillon, which features a titanium case with a black satin PVD finish.
The bezel is made from MX455 steel, while its decorative screws are set in custom gold with white VVS1 diamonds.
It is enhanced with a super-luminova dial.
A two-night journey from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok in an elegant cabin on the renowned Eastern and Oriental Express luxury train was donated by YTL Hotels.
After the auction, guests were ushered into the hotel's ballroom where they were treated to a scrumptious dinner and entertained by Marques Young, a trombone player from New York.
After the performance, Sepang International Circuit chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir presented a cheque to IJN Foundation chairman Toh Puan Aishah Ong.
Babyface later serenaded the audience with his hits such as Cool in You, Everytime I Close, Whip Appeal, Wonderful Tonite and When I Fall in Love.
Much to the surprise of everyone, Siti Nurhaliza then came on stage to perform the ever popular Fire and When I Fall in Love with Babyface.
